Probing Topological Thermal Flux in Equilibrium Using Electron Beams

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Optics
• Thermodynamics

Background:

• Near nonreciprocal media exhibit imbalanced thermal populations.
• Equilibrium topological thermal fluxes are theorized but unconfirmed.
• Detecting these fluxes is crucial for understanding thermal transport phenomena.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a method for detecting equilibrium topological thermal fluxes.
• To develop a general framework for quantifying thermal flux near arbitrary shapes.
• To explore the generation of electron vortex beams using thermal flux interactions.

Main Methods:

• Developing a theoretical framework to quantify thermal flux.
• Analyzing the interaction between free electron beams and thermal fluxes.
• Utilizing angle-resolved electron microscopy to measure electron scattering distributions.

Main Results:

• Established a general method to quantify thermal flux near objects of any shape.
• Demonstrated that electron scattering rates correlate with equilibrium thermal flux.
• Showed that electrons scatter preferentially transversely when encountering perpendicular thermal flux.

Conclusions:

• Electron beam interaction provides a viable method for detecting topological thermal fluxes.
• The proposed technique allows for the recovery of thermal flux spectra.
• This research opens new avenues for generating electron vortex beams.